10 Dec PHL Embassy and OWWA Christmas Event Draws 1,500 OFWs
2 December 2019 – More than 1,500 Filipinos in Malaysia welcomed the holidays with a bang at the Philippine Embassy’s annual Pamaskong Kat-OWWA-an held on 1 December 2019 at the Komplex Kraft (Craft Complex), Kuala Lumpur.
The whole-day event, which was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM), and ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel, is a Christmas concert and public outreach event rolled into one.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles C. Jose said, “Christmas is undoubtedly the happiest time of the year for Filipinos. Pero para sa atin na nagtratrabaho sa Malaysia at malayo sa ating mga pamilya, Christmas can also be the loneliest time of the year. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit taon-taon, sinisikap ng Philippine Embassy na magkasama-sama tayo para i-celebrate ang Pasko kasama ang ating mga kaibigan, katrabaho, ka-organisasyon, at kapwa Pinoy dito sa Kuala Lumpur.”
In line with the Embassy’s gender and development thrusts and ABS-CBN’s public service program, the morning portion of the event featured DZMM radio hosts Dr. Carl Balita, Dr. Luisa Ticzon Puyat, and Dr. Bles Salvador who shared their expertise with the mostly-female OFW crowd in a one-hour entrepreneurship seminar, as well as the provision of one-on-one consultations on women’s health and skin care. Filipinos were also able to avail of free services such as haircuts, reflexology, and Zumba classes.
Meanwhile, the afternoon program featured a mini-concert from the Philippine Embassy Choir led by Mme. Ma. Victoria H. Jose, as well as performances from FFAM member-organizations and local Filipino band Braveheart.
The event was capped by TFC Hour featuring performances from ABS-CBN comedian Lassy and actor and recording artist Marlo Mortel, followed by a meet-and-greet with the Filipino community.
For more information, visit the Embassy’s website at http://www.philembassykl.org.my or its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PHinMalaysia/.
